Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Biographical or Historical Data:

Thomas H. Escott was born February 11, 1892 in Indianapolis, Indiana. After battling typhoid fever during his last year of grammar school, Escott did not return to school and joined the vaudville troupe "Our Boys in Blue." He then attempted to join the Cavalry but was turned down for being underweight. Escott turned to the navy and was sworn in on July 29, 1910 at age 18. Believing a man had to be 21 to join the navy, he lied about his age claiming it was February 11, 1889. Escott rose to the rank of Lieutenant (jg) and commanded ships in many cities, including Indianapolis. He later attended law school at Benjamin Harrison Law School in Indianapolis. He was married to Laura D. Escott. Escott died March 27, 1974 in Florida.

Ownership and Custodial History:

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Thomas H. Escott in 1974.